Diving & Hypothermia

There are many dangers faced by commercial divers, which can result in serious injuries or death. One of these perils includes hypothermia. Even with sophisticated diving suits and equipment, divers still suffer from hypothermia.

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature falls below 35 degrees Celsius, which is below what is required for normal metabolism and bodily functions. There are various stages of hypothermia each with its own set of symptoms, which can be found below:

• Stage 1: Mild to strong shivering, hands become numb, goose bumps form, breathing becomes shallow and tiredness.
• Stage 2: Shivering becomes violent, slow and labored movements, mild confusion and lips, ears, fingers and toes become blue.
• Stage 3: Amnesia appears, can’t use hands, skin becomes blue and puffy, poor muscle coordination, irrational behavior and pulse and respiration rates decrease.

Hypothermia can result in death, but luckily this condition is preventable. The use of a wetsuit can help protect you during a dive in cold water. However, if the suit is too narrow, broad or is unable to correspond to the depth, hypothermia is still a risk.

Some of the ways to avoid hypothermia include the following:

• Cold divers should dive only one time the same day
• Use warming ointments before a long dive
• Practice caution in waters with cold currants
• Avoid alcohol consumption before a dive
• Never enter cold water without protective clothing and gear

If you are a commercial diver who has been injured in a diving accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries, depending on the details of your case. There are various laws that protect maritime workers, including the Jones Act. Contact an experienced Houston maritime injury attorney at Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at 713.224.7800 for a free legal consultation regarding your diving injuries.